From February 2026, Poland is revising its approach to social support for Ukrainian families with children. Receiving 800+ payments will depend on a number of new criteria, which are important to consider in advance so as not to lose your right to assistance. Learn more about the new conditions for receiving 800+ payments for Ukrainians in Poland
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The Polish 800+ family support programme for families with children continues to operate for Ukrainians, but from 1 February 2026, the rules for receiving it will become stricter. The changes concern the requirements for applicants, primarily regarding their stay in Poland and participation in the country’s economic life.
Who will be affected by the new conditions, how to prepare for submitting an application, and what could lead to a refusal of payments — we explain further in this article.
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Will 800+ payments for Ukrainians in Poland be cancelled?
The 800+ programme is not being cancelled for Ukrainian citizens who are in Poland with temporary protection status. It will continue to be available to families with children, but the state is changing its approach to verifying eligibility for assistance. Payments are becoming more ‘conditional’: to receive them, you must meet the updated criteria, which ZUS will check on an ongoing basis.
Important! The passport office in Warsaw has changed the conditions for storing ready documents. Details — follow the link.
New 800+ rules from 1 February 2026: what exactly is changing?
From February 2026, Ukrainians will have to re-register their right to 800+ payments under the new rules. The changes will affect the application procedure and the set of data that must be confirmed. Some applicants will need to resubmit documents and confirm their compliance with the new requirements, in particular those related to employment and actual residence in Poland.
In the previous article, we talked about restrictions on the employment of Ukrainians in Poland.
Which Ukrainians will have to reapply for 800+?
The updated procedure will apply to Ukrainians with PESEL UKR status who apply for child benefits. According to Polish authorities, this affects tens of thousands of families. Even if the benefit has already been paid out before, from 2026 onwards, the right to it will have to be reconfirmed under the new conditions.
When submitting an application, ZUS will pay attention to the applicant’s family’s actual connection with Poland. Identification data, legality of stay, information about crossing the border, as well as the fact that the child attends a Polish kindergarten or school will be checked. Information related to the child’s health will be taken into account separately.
A key innovation is the condition of professional activity. The right to 800+ assistance will depend on whether the applicant was economically active in the month preceding the application. This means that the state expects adults to be involved in the labour market or other forms of legal activity.
Professional activity includes various forms of legal involvement in the economy: official work, entrepreneurial activity, receiving unemployment benefits, participation in scholarship programmes, as well as certain academic or sports payments. In most cases, ZUS will verify this information automatically through state registers.
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Who can receive 800+ without proof of employment?
At the same time, the new rules provide for exceptions. Proof of professional activity will not be required from parents of children with disabilities, as well as in cases where the benefit is applied for a child with Polish citizenship. For these categories, the mechanism for receiving payments remains simplified.
Where Ukrainians most often find work in Poland — we tell you here.
Reasons for refusing to pay 800+ in 2026
Assistance may be terminated or not granted if there are doubts about the family’s actual residence in Poland, the child’s compliance with compulsory education, or the fulfilment of the conditions of stay. Checks will be carried out regularly, and in the event of non-compliance with at least one of the criteria, ZUS has the right to suspend payments.
How can Ukrainians in Poland prepare for the changes in advance?
To avoid losing benefits, it is important to assess your situation in advance: your form of employment, the validity of your documents, your child’s status and your compliance with the new requirements. Those who work on short-term contracts or are changing the type of activity should be particularly careful.
If you are unsure whether you meet the new rules or want to check the risks of refusal of payments, the immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine will help you understand your specific situation.
Get professional advice and prepare for the changes without stress!
Reminder! Poland wants to abolish special status for Ukrainian refugees. What this means for displaced persons — find out at the link.
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Frequantly
asked questions
Will Ukrainians be paid 800+ in Poland after 1 February 2026?
Yes, the 800+ programme continues to apply to Ukrainians with PESEL UKR status. However, from February 2026, entitlement to payments will depend on the fulfilment of updated conditions, in particular confirmation of legal residence in Poland and the applicant’s professional activity.
Is it necessary to work to receive 800+ in Poland?
In most cases, yes. To receive 800+ assistance, you must be economically active in the month preceding the application. However, there are exceptions, in particular for parents of children with disabilities and families where the child has Polish citizenship.
Do Ukrainians need to reapply for 800+?
Yes, from 2026, some Ukrainians will have to re-confirm their entitlement to 800+. Even if the benefit has already been granted, ZUS may require a new application taking into account the changed rules.
Can 800+ payments be stopped if the child does not attend school in Poland?
Yes. One of the mandatory conditions for receiving 800+ is that the child attends a Polish kindergarten or school. In the absence of confirmation of education, ZUS has the right to refuse or suspend payments.